Final SBC Template and Related Materials Released

As we went to press with this week’s EBIA Weekly, the agencies issued the final revised template and related materials for the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC). Use of the new materials will be required starting with the first day of the first open enrollment period that begins on or after April 1, 2017 with respect to coverage for plan years beginning on or after that date (see our Checkpoint article). These items were previously issued in proposed form (see our Checkpoint article).

Upcoming and Featured Webinars

A host of employee benefit considerations arise when employees begin or terminate employment. If you work with health and welfare benefits — or in a human resources role with on-boarding or termination — this is a unique opportunity to analyze these issues in context,
and make sure your processes include all of the requirements and best practices.

Which plans fit within ERISA's exemption for governmental and church plans? We'll consider quasi-governmental entities, and the latest litigation narrowing the church plan definition. We'll walk you through the legal landscape and answer your tricky questions during a Q&A session; you can also submit questions in advance!

The intersection of Medicare and COBRA is one of the most complex aspects of group health plan administration. Failing to navigate the complexities can be costly. We'll give you the background — the ABC's (and D) of Medicare, and explain the difference between eligibility for and "entitlement to" Medicare.